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National Council of La Raza annual conference was held in New Orleans: Nuestro Pueblo

Cutting the ribbon to open the expo for the National Council of LaRaza Conference held recently in New Orleans are Janet Murguía, right, NCLR President and CEO, along with Jorge Plasencia, President of the Board of NCLR, and children from New Orleans with television series characters, Dora la Exploradora and Diego.
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The 2013 National Council of La Raza held its annual conference last month for the first time at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans. It opened with the cutting of the ribbon at the free expo attended by a large group of children from New Orleans who shared the spotlight with Nickolodeon characters Dora the Explorer, her cousin Diego, NCLR's CEO Janet Murguia and Board Chairman Jorge Plasencia, the first Cuban-American to lead the organization Board.

At the National Council of La Raza Conference held recently in New Orleans are Diego, Scarlett Lanzas, executive director of Puentes Inc., Jorge Plasencia, NCLR Board President, Dora the Explorer and Janet MurguÃ­a, NCLR President and CEO.

Other highlights of the conference were of Telemundo's Jose Diaz Balart and Maria Celeste Arraras, as well as legendary actress Rita Moreno and other celebrities.

At the expo for the National Council of La Raza Conference held recently in New Orleans are Telemundo personalities Jose Diaz Balart, left, and Celeste Arraras, right, with Doris Espinal of New Orleans.

The conference culminated July 23 with an address by First Lady Michelle Obama at the NCLR Awards Gala.

What a thrill for the audience to hear the First Lady of the United States speak in such a familiar way using the Spanish language when referring to some typical foods and other endearing traits of the Latino culture.

Introducing Obama, NCLR President Janet Murguia said "that the First Lady qualifies as an honorary Latina" referring to Obama's family interaction and the fact that her mother or "abuela" lives in the White House taking care of the two granddaughters.

Obama focused her talk on her initiative to combat obesity and the need to lead a healthy life.

"Food is how we knit our families together," she said. "It's how we pass on our culture and heritage. By cooking for our loved ones, we show them how much we care about them."

She said that she has good memories of food at her grandparents' home but she emphasized the need to eat healthy food, specially vegetables and to exercise, which is the theme of her Let's Move! campaign.

She is also the honorary chair of the Partnership for Healthier America.

Describing the high rates of obesity among Latino children (40 percent in comparison with other children) with 50 percent on track to develop diabetes, she mentioned the barriers that Latino families face such as less access to supermarkets chains in Hispanic neighborhoods, safety for outdoor activities, lack of opportunities for exercise. She encouraged Latinos to develop better options for food and to urge the schools to offer healthier choices which starts with changing what the vending machines in schools deliver.

Highlighting the need for affordable health care, Obama encouraged people to sign up for health insurance and to educate others about the importance of signing up for health insurance because "good health care is essential to a better and longer life."

First Lady Michelle Obama greets audience members after her speech at the National Council of LaRaza conference in New Orleans.

She referred the Latinos to the website, cuidado de la salud.com. She also emphasized that her husband will keep pushing immigration reform. And she finished her talk in Spanish saying"Que Dios los Bendiga" to the audience.

Obama stepped down from the podium to greet the audience, shake hands and exchange words with many admirers.

NOTICIAS

The Asociacion Nicaraguense de Louisiana will celebrate "Tope de Santo Domingo" for the 13th consecutive year on Aug. 10 at 4 p.m. at the Kenner Heritage Park, 415 Williams Blvd.

Highlights this year will include the representation of Santo Domingo's arrival preceded by a parade entering the park to the rhythms of folkloric music and featuring popular characters such as the "Gigantona" and the "Cabezon" . Later there will be the crowning of "India Bonita", the queen of the Festival.

Music, typical Nicaraguan food and refreshments will be served. The event is open to the public. Proceeds from donations and sponsorships are allocated to the purchase of Christmas toys for disadvantaged children in Nicaragua.